Morning all.
Ryan Bertrand is out of contract this summer and Arsenal are one of a number of clubs rumoured to be interested in signing him. Kieran Tierney, if fully fit and healthy, will always be Mikel Arteta’s first choice I’m sure. But, when/if he’s out injured, Arsenal don’t really have a proper replacement. Bukayo Saka is probably the best option but then we lose something up front and after him, there’s Cedric Soares who appears to have fallen out of favour.
Bertrand will be 32 years old when the new campaign kicks off but does that really matter? Willian was 32 when Arsenal signed him although it’s fair to say, he’s not been a great success. However, would a player in his prime be prepared to play second fiddle to Tierney?
On paper, Norwich City’s Max Aarons would be the best option for Arsenal, or someone similar who can be our number one right back but play at left back too. Especially as we have Cedric and Chambers who can cover the right back position. Not that I can see newly promoted Norwich selling him during this transfer window when in all likelihood he’d sell for double his current valuation after a season in the PL.
I think Arsenal will do they can to convince Bertrand to join the club, giving Joel Lopez another season to gain experience, perhaps on loan. Bertrand is English too which would be a plus.
Fabrizio Romano, the man who seems to know what’s what in football wrote on Twitter:
After David Luiz, also Willian is expected to leave Arsenal this summer. There’s interest from European clubs and from MLS – Inter Miami wanted him last summer. Arsenal are waiting for official bids.
If this one comes true, I think there’ll be a race amongst Arsenal to drive him to Heathrow. When Arsenal snapped him up, I thought it was a good deal but then I realised it was for three years and he was reported to be earning £200k a week. He’s proved to be an expensive mistake but at least it’s looking like he’ll soon be gone.
What a disaster of a weekend it’s been for Chelsea but at least they gave a lot of people a reason to smile. An FA Cup disaster for Tuchel on Saturday evening followed by a thumping for the women’s team in the Champions League Final against Barcelona last night. Unlike Arsenal women of course who won it back in 2007. The only English team to do so..
See you in the comments.
morning all
No.
Yes, yes, yes
Morning Rico and all
Thanks for putting across a good question Rico. Would RB be a good backup addition to the LB position?? Imo both yes and no. Yes because he is English, experienced and also a CL winner plus he is free. No because of his age and also the attitude he might bring. Would he be hungry for more success at his age? Would he love to play 2nd fiddle to KT? Would he buy into Arteta’s model and accepts to play a certain way?? So many questions.
Personally I would love to go for MAx Aarons. but if he is not available I would go for Josh Doig, Scottish, albeit inexperienced. But he would play 2nd fiddle to KT03 and also push him for a starting berth in a few months time. Ideally I would go for Aarons and Doig….both young and also UK citizens. And sell Soares and keep Chambers.
There might be a new competition in London in the coming days. I have heard that its a racing competition with the winning driver getting rewarded with driving Willian, Luiz, Leno and Xhaka to the airport. Atm I am already hearing Kev screeching his taxi tyres and training how to drift with it. 😂😂😂😂😂
My opinion is that of keeping AMN for RB position, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Gabriel and Saliba for CB, Tierney for LB……plus buying Aarons and Doig and we have a settled defence. If my wish comes true and we get Pope I feel our backline will be a very good level with experience and youth. And they are good professionals who will play the way Arteta wants without any discontent. Look at Chambers…..he has performed well since he came back from injury.
Another plus in RB’s favour is as you pointed out…..give Lopez another year or two to develop. The only two problems I have are two…..Lopes is Spanish (and although I have nothing against EU, African, South American or whatever) and that would mean someone who is not from the UK in the team. ATM I prefer those who are UK born for Arsenal because it would mean less traveling with regards national teams and no problems with player elegibility. The 2nd problem is that we do not know how he will pan out and develop. There is a big difference between playing in the EPL to playing in the younger levels. Maybe those who have seen him play can offer a good opinion on him….I have never seen him play.
When buying players we have to keep in mind that the UK no longer form part of the EU and that means that player signings are somewhat restricted. So even with the problems arising from UK players costing a bomb that is why I want Arsenal to keep Willock and AMN and Nelson. If we do not play them regularly we will never know. And both AMN and Willock have fared quite well….much better than many expected. It would be criminal to sell them I feel
Good morning Rico and all.
Today marks the 78Th anniversary of 617 squadron’s famous “Dambuster” raid on the Ruhr dams in Germany. It’s a date that I can never forget as, about the time they were taking of, I was coming into the world.
Ryan Bertrand would be a sensible signing for the short term, but would he be happy to be only a back-up to Tierney at left back?
We also need to sort the right back position out. Assuming that Bellerin is leaving and Cedric seems to be out of favour, priority must be given to signing Max Aarons from Norwich City. He would surely be attracted to being first choice right back at Arsenal. We ought to be able to sell Bellerin for roughly the same price that we would have to pay the Canaries.
Hi Rico and all The winning person to take our ex players to the airport will be some one with a helicopter to make sure these ex players don’t get court in the traffic and miss there flight.
don’t forget we may also have Guendouzi back next season as well.
DG. Having had a season of regular first team football, whilst on loan, why would either Willock or AMN be prepared to go back to the Arsenal bench and wait for injuries, suspensions or rotation to present them with first team football opportunities?
Cicero you are right on that. However with Ceballos going (thank God), Odegaard going, Xhaka wants to leave while we only have Partey and Elneny (1 year left on his contract), chances for Willock and AMN would be in abundance. We badly need Willock who in just 12 games (half of them as sub for NUFC) has scored 6 goals – more than the sum total of our midfield combined. Willock would be an immediate upgrade in that department. While AMN has never played properly with Partey. AMN is English and in my opinion is equal to Bissouma with regards physical presence and strength. Plus he is quicker than Xhaka as well.
Trying to think out side the box for an English defender that may not have a big name and come up with Sheffield united Max Lowe he has just turned 24 and 5ft 9″ Max represented England in under 16-17-18 and 20s according to what I have read.
so is that a good start or should I stay on the interchange and let other people select haha
TBH I am against the signing of Bissouma…..because while I acknowledge that both he and PArtey are good players one has to realize that both are African (elneny as well) and that means ACON in January and February. Where will that leave our midfield??
We have to keep in mind also that Auba and Pepe are African…..so that means a total of five players less between January and February….March and April as well since they come back off form or without proper conditioning. Where would that leave Arsenal??
Afternoon Devil, Geoff, Cicero and all.
Bertrand being English is why I think we’ll try and sign him. City apparently want him too.
Devil, won’t Lopez be classed as homegrown?
Devil I agree with you about the African players in regards to the amount of ACON matches we may loose them for may not be worth the risk.
So Arsenal are waiting offers for Willian, it could be a long wait.
yes Rico you are right. But I prefer UK/English players. Especially young ones. Consider Saka, ESR, Maitland Niles and maybe Willock. The first three have already played for England while Willock has not yet…but I feel it will not be long before he does. Let’s say Arsenal have a sum of players who can play for the national team…..not putting any figures but say a sum. Either they get chosen or not for the national team. If they get chosen it will be like a training session at Arsenal training grounds for them as they know each other well. It will mean that travelling will be like going on a European Cup trip with Arsenal because as soon as they land at Heathrow they will not have to pick up another plane to come to London….for they are already in London.
Yes Lopes might be homegrown but I prefer English players.
While I would consider foreign players as well they have to be of exceptional quality…like Bergkamp, Henry, Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo (brazilian) Baggio, Del Piero….players who will improve the team beyond recognition. But for certain positions like full backs, centre backs, defensive midfielders…..I prefer English players.
😆 Cicero.
As would I Devil, goes without saying being an English club but if Lopez is soon to be in the first team squad, there’s little point in signing a young left back when we already have one. Two depending on Bola.
Bola will not make it I think. He will be released. if he has not got any chances till now when he is around 22 I doubt he ever will.
you are right in pointing out that there is little point in signing a young LB when there is already one on the books. I just hope its that he is like Tierney/Cole etc….a very good FB who can make the grade and not only be a backup but also a 1st teamer himself.
I would still buy Aarons though.
Wasn’t Bola on loan before he was injured?
Another right back we have coming through is Osei-Tutu.
Osei Tutu is already 22 Rico. yes he might be a late developer….but if by the age of 20 he has not made it to the first team (even if for a few games) and left a good impression..its very rare. I know I am being a bit cruel…but also being realistic.
Look at Nelson…..he was considered to be the pick of the bunch and at one time even better than Saka…but (to my dismay) he is not being played. And we all saw how good Nelson is. It beats me why Willian could and he couldn’t.
Afternoon Rico. After the general silliness of the whole Spotify bloke and his very public ‘bid’ the club is left with lots of question marks and so-far unresolved issues surrounding it. Starting from the ownership, through the manager, the board and many of the players, I have no idea which path we are on right now.
I do know that transfers are not like musical chairs though and the most successful ones, which are what we so desperately need, usually come when the player is really good and fits the bill temperamentally, which in itself is no easy task. Witness the horrible Willian deal.
Fan’s memories are short though and apathy has become a part of the Arsenal experience so who knows what comes next?
No Rico, I don’t want him, 32, we’ve had enough of picking up other clubs’ cast offs.
I agree with your points Kev. but as Rico pointed out…..he would give Lopez another year to develop. Personally I would go for a young FB who can be competition to Tierney. But if Lop[es is a good player RB would be a stop gap for a year-year and a half
In many way’s I am on board with Devil , I would be scanning the lower leagues for a 20 year old to come in and although I am not so hung up on the nationality should he be English , so much the better.
I don’t often run the gauntlet of News Now but one thing I do notice is that if any of our ethnic minority players do well in the youth ranks you immediately see a site for their great grandparents home country trying to set their alliegence to their national team.
I have argued before that international players are a risk because of the long trips and various competitions . Take Auba for instance , came back from one trip having spent 12 hours on an airport floor and subsequently picks up malaria on his next sortie.
Arteta is likely to be in a useful position having only 3 competitions to go for and as they are all domestic this window will require domestic attitudes to be successful .Johnny foriegner need not apply.
.
Afternoon Adam, all.
Kev, as long as it’s not a three year deal for stupid money I think he’d be a good backup for Tierney.
Ditto Potter re the lower leagues, there has to be one or two worth looking at.
Just read that Leno does not want to leave. So its either him feeding porkies to the journos or else they made it up. Chose which one you want to believe.
And it seems we have submitted a bid for Sander Berge. But its around 7 million pounds less than Sheff Utd want for him. We have submitted £M17.5 while Sheffield want close to £M25. I presume it will be met with around £M20 with add ons similar to Pablo Mari’s fee.
And according to Italian media…both Chesney and Ramsey would love to return to Arsenal. Imo both would be a no no for us. I prefer Willock to Ramsey while it seems that Leno has told everyone that he does not want to leave.
I hope we don’t re-sign Ches or Ramsey, their days are done.
I would take Szczesny back purely because I think he is a better keeper and now matured to be more responsible . Ramsey , I am ambivalent , if he thinks he is coming back as a saviour then forget it , but if he comes happy to be a squad player on squad wages then o.k. maybe
Evening Rico and the house.
You can tell its the cricket season.
Massive hale stone storm 30 mins ago and now the sky
is blue and the sun is shining.
Another Boris U Turn LOL
Why is Szczesny leaving Juve I wonder.
Evening Rick, we’ve had the same, thunder and lightning too..
Rico I find it rather weired you are all talking about signing a 32 year old fullback.
On the 3rd Sat in May (in each Year ) 8 year olds can join a Clubs Academy.
This year inspite of the Virus is no exception.
On Sat 24 8year olds joined our academy and they all look a very happy and proud bunch of kids
I have no idea how much talent they have and I can only wish them all the best
and I hope 1 or 2 will become a Arsenal legand
They’ve just bought ACs Donnarumma(sp) 22 years old and a genius between the sticks, ostensibly! Chesney would become a bit part player and I don’t think his ego will stand for that.
I wonder if Gazidis will buy him for AC ? A reunion, of sorts?
I gather Richard Garlick started working for us today and straight in at the deep end. It is being said he is sorting out new contractsfor 3 youth team players.
No names mentioned but Im hoping its ESR,Azeez and Taylor Hart.
Rick, I guess we’ve got used to the way Arsenal have worked in the past. Arsenal themselves have lowered my expectations for the club. But as I do before each season kicks off, I’ll live in hope.
Ah yes, I saw that about Juve, just forgot. I suppose there’s no guarantee Szczesny will be pushed aside though.
Donnarumma is ten times better than Chesney. Chesney is good but Donnarumma, although 22 is even better, he made his debut when he was 16 and stayed there
good morning everyone
And he also made his debut for the Italian national team aged 17.
He is quality heir to Buffon and will become even better
Morning all
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/05/18/sander-berge-a-good-move-for-arsenal/
Last post I wrote may have got a bit confusing, but hopefully you guys will bear with me a while longer… if we buy Bertrand, then he is a player who plays in direct, power/pace type teams, like Klopps. Assuming Arteta is trying to build a team modelled on Pep, he would not fit.
If we buy Bertrand it will be a strong signal that Arteta either does not want to build a Pep-like team or has no clue (strong words I know) on what players actually fit in the system he purportedly wants. Bertrand is a great footballer, but only works in a Klopp type team – in fact Klopp would be better placed to buy him as a back to Robertson.
We should be getting Alaba on a free, pay him whatever it takes. Along with Aguero. Cavani has proved that senior, elite level players (no Luiz, I am not looking at you, or you Willian) can make a massive difference.
We are seriously facing an existential threat as a football club who have pretensions of getting back to elite levels. Next year Leic, Everton, Villa and possibly even Spurs will be stronger (if they can use the Kane sale wisely) and you know Liverpool, Chelsea, City and Utd will be strong already …
We need to bin Xhaka and buy Sabitzer who is very close to elite level CM IMHO. We should not be replacing Xhaka with Sander Berge, who again looks good in flashes, but cannot last the pace/intensity for full 90 over a tough season. He would be a very poor man’s Rodri (City CM). BTW, if Arteta buys him, then again points to trying to copying Pep model.
Next year, we should be lining up as, (backups in brackets):
Oblak or Gulasci
Hakimi/(Chambers) – Holding/(Saliba) – Gabriel/(Mari) – (Tierney)/Alaba
Sabitzer – Partey (Elneny)
Saka – ESR – Pepe (Martinelli)
Aguero (Balogun/Martinelli)
Sell Xhaka, Bellerin, Leno, Lacca, Auba, Willian, Nketiah and Nelson
If we could get Ben White from Brighton and sell Gabriel, I would do that… Gabriel is too accident prone and Ben White looks quality and is only going to get better IMHO.
I would also be looking to get rid of Pepe at some stage, and if Sterling became available (Foden is going to get better), I would do that deal … maybe he wants to come back to Lon.
That team is a team of proper footballers combining power, pace (Klopp world) with keep-ball, movement and intensity of passing and pressing (Pep world) that will define the next evolution in-
Ahem, sorry about that last bit, getting a bit ranty… need to get that coffee in now.